Group tasks Rivers youths against oil theft, illegal bunkering

09 November 2018, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt — Youths in Rivers State and the Niger Delta region have been charged to desist from crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and of petroleum products, but promote excellence and creativity through education.

A group known as Renaissance of Kalabari, who gave the charge at a youth program in Abonnema, Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, said illegal bunkering was destructive to the environment, economy and also leads to wastages of lives.

The leader of the group, Mr. Iseleye Amachree, regretted that youths of nowadays were more interested in illegal bunkering activities than going to school or engaging in legal trade and skills acquisition programs.

Amachree who decried the growing interest of youths in crude oil theft activities warned the youths that the only to a secured future was through education.

According to him, “Most youths have lost their lives in the process of illegal bunkering through fire explosions. The increase in bunkering activities is as a result of greed and quick money syndrome.

“The human mind is a fundamental resource base, the only way for Kalabari youths to secure their future and live a decent live is to embrace education.”

Speaking on the theme “Rejuvenating Academic in Kalabari Land” Amachree also warned the youths against making themselves tools in the hands of politicians.

He said the theme was imperative to stimulate a new era of prosperity in the area, adding that the group embarked on the mentorship programme to disabuse the minds of the youth from anti-social behavior towards the pursuit of excellence through education.

“As Renaissance of Kalabari, we are committed towards the promotion of peace and development in Kalabari land, and we called on the Kalabari youths to be vanguards of peace.”